Who would have thought that hanging out at a health fair could be so enjoyable?
The Elwin Mussell Senior Center was the scene of an “Active Aging Health Fair” on Saturday morning, July 29, for people over 50. Of course, anyone was welcome, but the activities were targeted toward the older generation, those who have “been there and done that.”
About 100 people attended. The event’s big draws were stroke and cardiac assessments, glucose tests, blood pressure tests, and vision screening. For fun, there were demonstrations of zumba, “chairobics” (with audience participation), and mah jongg. There is more to staying healthy than just eating right—you have to be pumped up and you have to have fun!
There was also food, a dwarf miniature horse named Little Bear, tons of information pamphlets, and a table of lovely raffle baskets donated by exhibitors. Raffle tickets were free.
Little Bear was out in the courtyard and, while welcoming pats on the head, seemed oblivious to all the action around him, particularly the people taking balance and strength-of-grip tests at the San Luis Obispo Physical Therapy booth.
After a complimentary glass of orange juice in the very attractive senior center lobby, program specialist Marjorie Gjerdrum-Hord gave me a quick overview of the goings-on.
Dawn Kamaya ensured that I was aware of all the assessment options. She is the enthusiastic vice president of the Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club, which is loaded with perks for a $15-a-year membership fee.
I high-tailed it out to the courtyard so as not to miss the zumba demo. What is zumba anyway? As best as I can tell, it is a series of rapid foot moves that make you think you are dancing (perhaps in a Broadway show or a PCPA musical).
Mah jongg is another mystery. At a small table inside, instructor Dona Eschen was moving tiles around and demonstrating to onlookers how the game is played. Intimidated by the tiles, I asked Donna how difficult mah jongg is and she told me, “It’s easier than bridge and harder than gin (rummy).” Good to know. Mah jongg is more popular than one would think.
Among the vendors dispensing information for a healthier, more involved, more engaged, and quite possibly, happier aging experience were Joyce Ellen Lippman (from the Area Agency on Aging) and Olivia and Keith Bugal (ambassadors for the Oasis Center in Orcutt).
The Community Action Commission, which prepares and delivers nutritious lunches to seniors around town, provided pork sliders and ratatouille (a vegetable medley). There was a table with strawberries, apples and oranges, and watermelon water and lemon water. Doesn’t it all just scream “healthy?”
A Lions Club vision testing team attracted a fair number of visitors. By having a person look into a handheld instrument (that costs $7,000), a Lions Club member tester could determine conditions that might warrant a visit to an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Those tested were given a printout summarizing their results.
My intention had been to pop in on the health fair, have a quick look-see around, stay for maybe ten minutes tops, and head over to the Discovery Museum to hobnob at Hogwarts. They were celebrating Harry Potter’s birthday. Sorry, Harry, I didn’t make it. Next year.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at column151@gmail.com.
This article appears in Aug 17-24, 2017.
